travel—carry-on essentials
If you know anything about me, it’s that beautifully organized, high quality and efficient travel, totally turns me on. I’ve sat on more floors helping friends to pack, and been stopped at airport security to admire and ask where I buy my organization system, more times than I can count. The joy is real.
Now, my essential oils collection for travel does change based on the journey. But if I had to choose the top 8 essentials off the top of my head and board a flight carry-on only, today, here’s what I’d choose for the ultimate easeful experience.
Here are 8 carry-on only favourites:
BALANCE OR SERENITY: a grounding blend to diffuse, massage a few drops on my feet or the back of my neck, or simply open the bottle and inhale. My two faves are Balance and Serenity, so I’d choose one of those 15ml bottles. And yes, I travel with a diffuser. I go-to diffuser is the dōTERRA Pilot, rechargeable by USB and small enough to pack.
EUCALYPTUS: 2-3 drops on the floor of a shower creates a divine shower steam that feels instantly refreshing, grounding and expansive. My favourite when I’m traveling, because it allows me to bring luxury wherever I land. (hot tip: place the drops of oil on the opposite end of where the shower head is so that you don’t instantly wash away the droplets, and can receive the benefits for your entire shower).
PEPPERMINT: now this one, when I’m extra tight for liquid space, I go for the beadlets and use these in place of gum (I can’t tell you the last time I chewed gum). If space allows, I grab the 5ml or 15ml bottle of pure oil over the touch because it’s more multi-functional—diffuse, consume, topical (for headaches!).
CYPRESS OR ROSEMARY: I use both, but again, space-pending, I choose based on mood. Love both of these for supporting flow and circulation when in motion and transition. A few drops on my dry brush (feels extra important after sitting for long periods in-flight), or massaged into my scalp. Rosemary has also proven to be extra beneficial when traveling to environments where dampness and humidity is high. Rosemary helps to reduce airborne toxins and mold and mildew. I’ve been known to drop it down drains when I arrive in an Airbnb or hotel and the bathrooms smell a little musty (super common in Europe and especially coastlines in Mexico).
FENNEL: quite literally known as the oil to support in digesting life with more ease. A perfect travel companion to inhale before heading off, or massaging on the belly at the end of the day. Even when I’m not traveling, I love to massage 1-2 drops diluted in a carrier oil (fractionated coconut, organic cold-pressed castor, or rosehip) on my belly since our systems are already digesting the day in our sleep. This is a nice add-on. Also perfect added to hot water to drink as a ‘tea’ or massage on the belly for upset stomach (along with popping a couple of activated charcoal for good measure). Because when the street food kicks in, ya girl wants backup.
CLOVE: now this one is strictly for the teeth and gums. A good oil pull, and I feel like I literally come back to life after a flight or long day. Sometimes I bring pure clove to pop into coconut oil for oil pulling, or on my toothbrush for deeper cleansing.**
FRANKINCENSE: they call it the king of oils for good reason. A drop on my thumb and then pressed against the roof of my mouth is a daily practice. Offers me mental clarity and helps to reduce brain fog when I feel a migraine coming on. Excellent oil for pain and metaphysically a beautiful support for discernment. In TCM, pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth can support breathing and induce a sense of calm and relaxation.
MY FAVOURITE FLORAL OF THE MOMENT: typically this one is single oil roller or a roller blend, to apply on my face with my daily oils and serums, or to apply on my wrists and neck as a perfume when headed out to dinner. Neroli is my dōTERRA go to in a single oil. For perfume, their Whisper blend is divine.***
HOT TIP: when I travel, pending length of the trip, I pack single sachets of coconut oil which you can order pre-packed online, or on my first grocery run, I grab a small jar and keep on my bathroom counter.
** Yogi Tooth Serum and Happy Gums from Living Libations are my absolute go-to blends when I’m at home and not needing to be quite so mindful or space, as they’ve mastered their recipe). And seriously, if you end up with a toothache or gum inflammation while traveling, clove will change your life.
*** Other perfume brands I’m currently absolutely obsessed with are: For All Folks (made in Mexico), and Heretic Parfum (made in USA). The For All Folks Patchouli + Sandalwood perfume is made with essnetial oils (with other notes including Frankincense, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Cardamom, Balsam). LITERALLY OBSESSED. Not an affiliate, but you can find it here. Perfect carry-on size too. And the Heretic Parfum makes gorgeous Discovery Sets where you can sample various scents based on your mood in super convenient 2ml bottles. Carry-on travel dream. Buy the Dirty Hindi blend. Thank me later.
